DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.68888#0194
130 M I C R O G R A P H I A.
tapering form 5 but whereas all Vegetables are observ’d to (hoot and
grow perpendicularly upwards, this does shoot or propend diredly
downwards.
By whichlast Observables, we see that there may be a very pretty
body shap’d and concreeted by Mechanical principles, without theleast
fliew or probability of any other semiqal sorwatrix.
And since we find that the great reasbn of the Phenomena os this pret-
ty petrisa&ion.* are to be reduc’d from the gravity of a fluid and pretty
volatil body impregnated with stony particles, why may not the Ph<eno-
mena of Ebullition or Germination be in part posiibly enough deduc’d
srom the levity of an impregnated liquor, which therefore perpendicu-
larly attending by degrees, evaporates and leaves the more solid and
fix’d parts behind in the form os a Mushrom, which is yet further diversi-
fy’d and specificated by the forms of the parts that impregnated the li-
quor, and compote or help to constitute the Mushrom.
That the foremefltion’d Figures of growing Salts, and the Silver Tree,
are from this principle, I could very easily manifesl 5 but that I have not
now a convenient opportunity of following it, nor have I made a suffici-
ent number of Experiments and Observations to propound, explicate,and
prove to usefull a Theory as this of Mushroms: for, though the con-
trary principle to that ofpetrify'd Iceicles may be in part a cause 5 yet
I cannot but think, that there is sbmewhat a more complicated cause,
though yet Mechanical, and possible to be explain’d.
We therefore have further to enquire of it, what makes it to be such a
liquor, and to ascend, whether the heat of the Sun and Air, or whe-
ther that offirmentiation and putrisa^ion^ or both together 5 as allo whe-
ther there be not a third dr fourth 5 whether a Saline principle be not a
considerable agent in this business also as well as heat, whether allo a fixa-
tion, precipitation or settling of certain parts out of the aerial Mushrom
may not be also a considerable coadjutor in the business. Since we find
that many pretty beards orftiri# of the particles of Silver may be preci-
pitated upon a piece of Brass put into asolution of Silver very much di-
luted with fair water, which look not unlike a kind of mould or hoar
upon that piece of metal 5 and the hoar frosl looks like a kind of mould 5
and whether there may not be several others that do concurr to the pro-
duction of a Mushrom, having not yet had sufficient ^ime to prosecute ac-
cording to my desires, I must referr this to a better opportunity os my
own, or leave and recommend it to the more diligent enquiry and exa-
mination of such as can be mailers both of leisure and conveniencies for
such an Enquiry.
And in the mean time, I must conclude, that asfar as I have been able
to look into the nature of this Primary kind of life and vegetation, I can-
not find the least probable argument to perswade me there is any other
concurrent cause then such as is purely Mechanical, and that the effects
or productions are asnecessary upon the concurrence os those causes as
that a Ship, when the Sails are hoisi: up, and the Rudder is set to such a
position,should,when the Wind blows, be mov’d in such awayorcourse
to-
tapering form 5 but whereas all Vegetables are observ’d to (hoot and
grow perpendicularly upwards, this does shoot or propend diredly
downwards.
By whichlast Observables, we see that there may be a very pretty
body shap’d and concreeted by Mechanical principles, without theleast
fliew or probability of any other semiqal sorwatrix.
And since we find that the great reasbn of the Phenomena os this pret-
ty petrisa&ion.* are to be reduc’d from the gravity of a fluid and pretty
volatil body impregnated with stony particles, why may not the Ph<eno-
mena of Ebullition or Germination be in part posiibly enough deduc’d
srom the levity of an impregnated liquor, which therefore perpendicu-
larly attending by degrees, evaporates and leaves the more solid and
fix’d parts behind in the form os a Mushrom, which is yet further diversi-
fy’d and specificated by the forms of the parts that impregnated the li-
quor, and compote or help to constitute the Mushrom.
That the foremefltion’d Figures of growing Salts, and the Silver Tree,
are from this principle, I could very easily manifesl 5 but that I have not
now a convenient opportunity of following it, nor have I made a suffici-
ent number of Experiments and Observations to propound, explicate,and
prove to usefull a Theory as this of Mushroms: for, though the con-
trary principle to that ofpetrify'd Iceicles may be in part a cause 5 yet
I cannot but think, that there is sbmewhat a more complicated cause,
though yet Mechanical, and possible to be explain’d.
We therefore have further to enquire of it, what makes it to be such a
liquor, and to ascend, whether the heat of the Sun and Air, or whe-
ther that offirmentiation and putrisa^ion^ or both together 5 as allo whe-
ther there be not a third dr fourth 5 whether a Saline principle be not a
considerable agent in this business also as well as heat, whether allo a fixa-
tion, precipitation or settling of certain parts out of the aerial Mushrom
may not be also a considerable coadjutor in the business. Since we find
that many pretty beards orftiri# of the particles of Silver may be preci-
pitated upon a piece of Brass put into asolution of Silver very much di-
luted with fair water, which look not unlike a kind of mould or hoar
upon that piece of metal 5 and the hoar frosl looks like a kind of mould 5
and whether there may not be several others that do concurr to the pro-
duction of a Mushrom, having not yet had sufficient ^ime to prosecute ac-
cording to my desires, I must referr this to a better opportunity os my
own, or leave and recommend it to the more diligent enquiry and exa-
mination of such as can be mailers both of leisure and conveniencies for
such an Enquiry.
And in the mean time, I must conclude, that asfar as I have been able
to look into the nature of this Primary kind of life and vegetation, I can-
not find the least probable argument to perswade me there is any other
concurrent cause then such as is purely Mechanical, and that the effects
or productions are asnecessary upon the concurrence os those causes as
that a Ship, when the Sails are hoisi: up, and the Rudder is set to such a
position,should,when the Wind blows, be mov’d in such awayorcourse
to-